will
heal spontaneously by slow granulation, often leaving unstable epithelium,
scarring and contractures

grafting
is the desired treatment as it improves the quality of the healing (better
cosmetic and functional healing) and reduces the opportunity for infection

can
progress to full thickness injuries if infection develops

Full Thickness
Burn(3rd
degree)

results
in destruction of skin through all layers of epidermis and dermis, extending
into subcutaneous fat and underlying tissue

subcutaneous
layer contains hair follicles and sweat glands and is poorly vascularized;
this is below the stratum germinativum layer (dark blue area) which is
responsible for the generation of new skin cells

burn
appears white, red or brown and is often charred and leathery in appearance

Estimation
of the size of the burn is done using the "rule of nines" shown in Diagram
2. The corresponding area of burn is identified on the diagram, and
the total percentage is calculated as the sum of the burned areas.

The
type or thickness of the burn can also be recorded on the diagram.
Many burns are mixed in nature, for example, the outer edges may be partial
thickness, while areas of deep partial and full thickness burns may extend
toward the center. The appearance of the burn, along with the presence
of blanching, blisters and pain helps to determine the extent of the injury.

The
percentage of burns may change as the tissue injury evolves and more extensive
tissue damage becomes evident. Infection can increase the severity
of the burn over the course of the injury.